Pinellas County Schools launched its first girls-only Basic Auto Maintenance Summer Camp at Northeast High School in St. Petersburg on Tuesday. The four-day program wraps up Thursday, July 2.
Instructor Frederick Lawrence shows students how to change oil, check fluid levels, inspect tires, and replace batteries and windshield wipers. Girls get their hands dirty inside the automotive shop, picking up skills they’ll need for years to come.
“Even if they don’t go into the industry, they’ll be able to take care of their own car and know what to check and what fluids are important,” Lawrence said, according to Fox 13.
The camp protects young women from dishonest mechanics. Lawrence wants his students to spot when someone tries to rip them off at a repair shop.
“Sometimes [young girls] are taken advantage of when they actually take their cars to a shop,” Lawrence said. “What I want to do is give them some knowledge so when they go out and get their cars worked on, they’re able to know whether or not they’re being taken advantage of.”
Camper Grace inspected tires during Tuesday’s session. She hopes more women will join fields where men dominate the workforce.
“I honestly just want more females to enter into male-dominated industries because it’s not seen often,” Grace said. “Learning new skills is something that you will have forever. Also, let’s say that I get stuck on the road and I don’t have anybody with me. I’ll at least know what to check.”
Women account for 12.1% of automotive repair and maintenance workers, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Less than 2% of dealership service technicians are women.
The camp ties into Northeast High’s Automotive Academy and Automotive Service Technology program, which prepare students for jobs fixing and maintaining vehicles.